Who Is Balarama
Balarama is revered as the elder brother of Krishna, born to Vasudeva and Rohini. In Hindu tradition, he is regarded as a form connected to Vishnu, most commonly identified as an incarnation of Shesha Naga, the great serpent upon whom Vishnu is said to rest.
He is easily recognised in art and temple imagery by his fair complexion, a plough (hal) in one hand and a mace (gada) in the other, tools that reflect both his connection to agriculture and his immense physical strength.
His Birth and Bond With Krishna
According to tradition, Balarama's arrival in the world was itself extraordinary. He is described as having been transferred from Devaki's womb to Rohini's womb for protection, which is why he is also known by the name Sankarshana. Raised in Gokul and Vrindavan alongside Krishna, the two brothers shared a bond that ran through every major chapter of Krishna's life.
Balarama stood beside Krishna through childhood adventures, the move to Mathura, and later life in Dwarka, offering steady strength and counsel. Their relationship is remembered as one of complete trust, two forms connected by blood and by divine purpose, walking the same path in different ways.
His Place Among Vishnu's Forms
Balarama's position varies slightly by tradition. Many texts describe him as an incarnation of Shesha Naga rather than of Vishnu directly, while certain regional traditions, notably in Odisha's Jagannath worship, count Balabhadra (Balarama) among the principal forms worshipped alongside Krishna and Subhadra.
In some later Puranic lists of the Dashavatara, Balarama is even named in place of Buddha as the eighth avatar. Rather than treating these as contradictions, devotees generally understand them as different regional and sampradaya (tradition) ways of honouring the same truth, that Balarama's life was inseparable from the divine purpose Krishna came to fulfil.
How Devotees Remember Him
Balarama is worshipped both independently and alongside Krishna in many temples across India, most famously in the Jagannath Temple of Puri, where he is worshipped as Balabhadra beside Jagannath and Subhadra. His birth is observed as Balarama Jayanti, also called Halashashti in some regions, when farming families offer special prayers connected to the plough and the harvest.
Devotees chanting Om Sankarshanaya Namah seek his blessings for strength, protection and steadiness of mind, qualities he is remembered for throughout his life.
A Lesson in Quiet Strength
Balarama's story teaches that devotion does not always need to be in the spotlight. He supported Krishna's journey with unwavering loyalty, often standing back so that Krishna's purpose could unfold, yet never any less essential to the story.
For devotees today, Balarama represents the strength that comes from steadiness, loyalty and groundedness, a reminder that faith expressed quietly, through consistent support and presence, is every bit as meaningful. Worship of Balarama, like all worship, remains an act of faith and love, not a transaction.
Reader Questions Answered
Is Balarama considered an avatar of Vishnu?+
Most traditions describe Balarama as an incarnation of Shesha Naga, Vishnu's serpent, though some regional lists of the Dashavatara do count him among Vishnu's ten principal avatars.
Why does Balarama carry a plough?+
The plough (hal) represents his connection to agriculture and the land, and is one of his defining symbols along with the mace, reflecting his immense strength.
Where is Balarama worshipped alongside Krishna?+
He is worshipped as Balabhadra in the Jagannath Temple of Puri, alongside Jagannath (Krishna) and Subhadra, and in many Krishna temples across India.
About the author
Pandit Ravindra Sharma · Vedic Rituals & Bhakti, 22+ years
Pandit Ravindra is the Vandnaa editorial team's resident specialist on aarti, chalisa, and daily devotion. He has performed home and temple pujas across Varanasi and Delhi for over two decades and contributes the bhakti-focused articles on this site.
Meet the Vandnaa editorial team →
